Confirmed: SimCity Finally Gets Offline Mode

Good news for modders

Offline mode is finally on the horizon for SimCity, EA has confirmed. In a blog post on the game's official site Patrick Buechner, GM of the Maxis Emeryville studio, confirmed that the game will be playable offline with the launch of Update 10.

Maxis and EA came under heavy fire for SimCity's need for a constant internet connection when it launched and servers buckled under their load, leaving many unable to play.

"When we launch [offline mode], all of your previously downloaded content will be available to you anytime, anywhere, without the need for an internet connection," Buechner wrote.

"In Update 10, you can still play solo in Regions on your own, or in Multiplayer with people from around the world. Whatís new is the Single Player Mode, which allows you to play the game Offline by yourself. And because your saved games in this mode are stored locally, you can save and load to your heartís content."

Of online play, Buechner says: "All of the benefits of being connected will remain including access to Multiplayer, the Global Market and Leaderboards. And all of your pre-existing saved cities and regions will still be accessible should you log-in to the Online game."

The update also has implications for the modding community. "They can now make modifications to the game and its components without compromising the integrity of the Online game," Buechner wrote.